Critic Reviews

That last point - the password system - is an appropriate metaphor for King's Bounty's flaws (sticky note version: "everything but gameplay & control"), since I not only still completed what a broken password system ought to prevent, which is the game, but also enjoyed it more than, say, Chrono Trigger or Ogre Battle in the process. And while some may decry a comparison to those venerated titles, may I suggest that you know you've got a solid product on your hands when it can't even fail convincingly? I keep remembering the words of Prince Barrowpine, in the plot summary that comes packaged with the game: "Really Magus, you shouldn't go around destroying my illusions like that." Wise words for a critic, Prince, though I am unable to take them to heart.

The game's four continents had randomly generated treasure locations and recruit placements, so it offered near limitless replay value, but also a long freakin' password system. King's Bounty sits atop the 16-bit strategy throne, and is just as addictive as ever.

King's Bounty is a surprisingly addictive game. There is so much to do and so much to explore that one game is never enough. Luckily for us, New World Computing, the game's designers, have included a passcode option to restart the game exactly where you left off. This is no five minute wonder and will take many long sessions before your finish it - if you finish it. People say that the Mega Drive is just full of shoot-'em-ups, but Electronic Arts are actively trying to change all that - and what a great job they're doing.

King's Bounty is a decidedly different sort of role-playing game. Its unusual money system based on a weekly salary, its self-mapping features, the contract-based bounty system and the large armies yield a game with a lot of depth. However, unlike many role-playing games, this one is more a treasure hunt than an unfolding story.

A few minor complaints: the most significant was the terrible music that plays over and over. Fortunately, that can be shut off. I found that King's Bounty was best played with the TV turned down and the stereo turned up. The graphics won't blow you away either, but overall, they work well with the theme. Also be aware that this is a "password save" game, and the password is 56 characters long. Unless you plan to play in long sessions, this becomes quite a nuisance. Overall, though, this is a complex (but not complicated) adventure that will keep you thinking for a long, long time.

I thought this was going to be an average RPG, but in fact it's not at all bad. I especially like the straightforward combat system, and though the graphics are hardly likely to win any awards, they do convey all the information. I'm not sure that this will sell too well (considering the hefty price tag), but I like it anyway. The only thing you should watch out for is the compatibility problem with Japanese Megadrives, so think twice before buying if you don't own an official machine.

Unlike the most in-depth fantasy games, King's Bounty doesn't take ages to get into even if your new to the genre. It's packed with action, comes complete with a large fantasy world to explore and provides more than enough surprises to keep you on your toes. All that's missing is a tad more puzzleability - Ultima fans probably won't find enough cerebral challenge to really exercise their brains. However, if you're a novice role-player and booting monsters is the way you like to get your kicks, rush out, buy it and save good King Maximus.

This conversion is actually better than the computer version, with crisper graphics fully utilizing the Genesis' capabilities. One problem we had with this version involved a password save that was 56 characters long. Additionally, not only does it take a few minutes to reload your game, it doesn't always save everything you want saved. When you return to a game, you start at a predetermined spot, but we found that our leadership rating was not at the same level it was when we saved the game. You could enter combat and without warning find out that all of your troops are out of control because of your lowered leadership rating. This adventure would definitely have a five-star rating if Electronic Arts had used a battery back up instead of the password save.

Most adventure gamers who love epic games of the Bard's
Tale ilk had better be reminded of a few things. King's Bounty
is a quick, self-contained game of a far, far shorter duration then
the current epics available on the market today. Another thing
traditional adventure gamers should be reminded of is that
King's Bounty is an army game of large battles and sweeping
continents, not a six-characters-hit-the-dungeon variety of roleplaying
game. If these garners feel cheated by games which are
of a more introductory calibre (e.g., if they thought SSI's Sword
of Aragon was too simple), they should avoid this one. If, however,
quicker, cleaner, and simpler fantasy/strategy games are
one's forte, there is a feast of fun at the King's Bounty.

Most adventure gamers who love epic games of the Bard's
Tale ilk had better be reminded of a few things. King's Bounty
is a quick, self-contained game of a far, far shorter duration then
the current epics available on the market today. Another thing
traditional adventure gamers should be reminded of is that
King's Bounty is an army game of large battles and sweeping
continents, not a six-characters-hit-the-dungeon variety of roleplaying
game. If these garners feel cheated by games which are
of a more introductory calibre (e.g., if they thought SSI's Sword
of Aragon was too simple), they should avoid this one. If, however,
quicker, cleaner, and simpler fantasy/strategy games are
one's forte, there is a feast of fun at the King's Bounty.